Got Artisan Honey? My Latest in South Bay Accent Magazine

How Sweet it is Again

Honeybees now seem to be making a comeback, giving South Bay residents a reason to appreciate just how sweet it is to have them buzzing among us again in full force.

by L.M. Archer

MORE THAN 70 PERCENT of the 100 plant species that account for 90 percent of the world’s food rely on bees for pollination. That translates to about $15 billion in annual revenues. In recent years, as most of us know, there has been a radical decline in bee populations—often referred to as “colony collapse”—due in large part to pollution and heavy pesticide use.

According to beekeeper, mentor and educator Emily Bondor of Santa Cruz Bee Company, commercial farming, which relies on the use of chemical fertilizers and fungicides, created a domino effect that threatened bees by making them susceptible to parasitic mites and pathogens. But honeybees now seem to be making a comeback, giving South Bay residents a reason to appreciate just how sweet it is to have them buzzing among us again in full force.

Locally, we savor honey. Check any number of local markets, bars and bistros, and you’ll find them well stocked with this superfood that’s chock-full of health benefits. Honey and pollen not only offer a panoply of nutrients like amino acids, enzymes and minerals, but can also stimulate the immune system, heal wounds and help prevent heart disease.

We’re not leaving it to nature alone to rejuvenate bee colonies. A wide range of commercial and environmental players in the South Bay have come forward to champion the cause; some host rooftop bee colonies while others conduct varietal honey tastings and implement bee-friendly sustainable farming.